High Boy hacking device reaches Kickstarter with retro gaming handheld vibes

The High Boy looks like an iPod or budget gaming handheld at first glance with its vertical layout centred control scheme. However, creator High Code has developed its device with hacking in mind. Dubbed a 'next-gen hardware hacking device', the High Boy should rival existing alternatives like the Flipper Zero and Interrupt, among others, by combining open-source software and hardware with Bluetooth Low Energy, GPIO access, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, NFC and even an IR receiver onboard.

To that end, High Code has based the High Boy on the ESP32-S3, a microcontroller that has been put to use in various applications like a smart home display panel or the Arduino Nano ESP32 (curr. $20.90 on Amazon). For reference, Espressif Systems builds the ESP32-S3 around a dual-core Tensilica LX7 processor running at 240 MHz, which it complements with 512 KB of SRAM, 8 MB of PSRAM, a 384 KB ROM, 8 MB of flash storage and Bluetooth 5.0 Low Energy support.

Meanwhile, High Code also includes a 2-inch colour display, a bottom-mounted USB Type-C port and a microSD card reader. Moreover, the company has integrated a CC1101 radio modem too for the purposes of monitoring radio frequencies. Currently, the High Boy can be backed on Kickstarter as a Flipper Zero alternative for $100 with shipments set for June 2026. Please note that prices will rise to $120 for the campaign's Early Bird offering and eventually to $140 when these discounts run out.